Tamil Nadu: It's raining cash for voters

Chennai: It's raining money for voters in Tamil Nadu's Tiruchendur, just a few days before the assembly by polls. Shortly after Jayalalithaa asked voters to accept money given to them by the DMK ahead of the by polls, her partymen were arrested with Rs 40 lakh in cash, allegedly meant to be distributed to voters.

The accused say it was meant for a land deal, but the police aren't buying that explanation.

"It was kept for bribing of voters," said Manika Rao, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tirunelvelli.

This may have caught the AIADMK chief Jayalaltihaa on the wrong foot. A few days ago she had pointed fingers at the ruling DMK for bribing voters and asked voters to accept their cash, but to vote for amma.

"It's only an investment for them to earn manifold after the elections. It is your money. Please accept it, but vote for the AIADMK," Jayalalithaa had said on December 12, 2009.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was quick to react: "This is a routine song Opposition parties sing during elections."

It's not just cash, the Election Commission says political parties have become innovative while bribing voters:

• Mobile phones of voters are freely recharged
• Tokens are given for liquor
• Also, there are vouchers that can be redeemed for gifts
• And even free delivery of milk everyday

But there has not been a single conviction in the last four years.

"The evidence may not be forthcoming. The people who receive will not say that they received," said Naresh Gupta, Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu.

Assembly polls are due in 2011 and both Dravidian parties don't want to be seen on the losing side. With the Election Commission remaining a mute spectator, the road to democracy is getting all the more tainted in Tamil Nadu.